Poems for Patriarchs (Hardcover)

~ Douglas W. Phillips (Author) "Where there is no vision, the people perish..." (more)
Key Phrases: The Land of Beginning Again, Paul Revere, Stonewall Jackson (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

One reason men lack vision is because they lack poetry in their lives. Men no longer sing or recite inspirational verse. Our boys are no longer required to memorize the great psalms, hymns, and poems of Christian manhood.

This should come as no surprise. The 20th century has wreaked havoc upon chivalry and manhood. The transformation of poetry from the ennobling to the coarse, the banal, or the irreverent is as much a sign of our national loss of manhood as it is of the decline of decency and civilization.

Poetry is essential to a man's life. We should never forget that God chose to communicate through the language of poetry. A large portion of the Scripture from Psalms to The Song of Solomon -- even the book of Isaiah in the original language -- was written in verse. Why? Because poetry and song allow us to use the beauty of language to paint mental images of victory, of devotion, and of the beauty of life in Jesus Christ.

This is why I often begin my speeches or end them with verse. For years, requests for these poems have poured in. Now, in Poems for Patriarchs, I have compiled the most inspirational and vision-communicating selections. The collection includes poems and prose both obscure and popular, but selected because of the profound way they speak to the most important issues in a man's life. They are neither fluffy nor frilly, foppish nor foolish, but virile and often sage, both as to their composition and character.

Each chapter in the book contains a generous number of selections, some new, some ancient, but all designed to address the various biblical roles, relationships and seasons in a man's life, from early boyhood to his twilight years.

The book begins with the "Poems of Patriarchy," a section designed to inspire men to think in terms of sacrifice, certitude, and vision. In "Poems of Boyhood," the memories of childhood and glories of being a boy are joyfully proclaimed. "Poems of Sonship" is dedicated to the meaning of honor between father and son. "Poems of the Groom" focuses on a man's love for his wife and the Lord's love for his bride, the Church. "Poems of Fatherhood," includes my favorite poems that remind me of the "big picture" and the glory of raising up sons and daughters for the Lord. Many fathers will especially love "Poems for the Children's Hour" and "Poems of Heroism" because they include some of the very best "daddy read-aloud" poems.

A Sampling of Included Poems:

- The Patriarch
- The Pilgrim Vision of William Bradford
- The Hymn of Boyhood
- Woodman Spare That Tree
- The Letter of Sullivan Ballou
- King Alfred's War Song
- We Few, We Band of Brothers
- The Children's Hour

Product Details

• Hardcover: 150 pages
• Publisher: The Vision Forum, Inc. (November 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1929241453
• ISBN-13: 978-1929241453
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #578,335 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful., March 8, 2006

By	L. Radowicz - See all my reviews

This is a beautiful book. A collection of wonderful poems. It would make an excellent gift for any father. I cherish my copy.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heroic and Inspiring Poetry Collection, April 21, 2007

By	DaMeg1331 "Meg" (Frankfort, KY USA) - See all my reviews

I will admit that I do not share all of the particular religious sympathies of the editor but that does not diminish my enjoyment of this collection of excellent heroic and inspirational poetry with a few equally moving prose pieces thrown in. How many books of poetry could you describe that way these days anyway? The pieces in this book range from touching verses about boyhood to beautiful examples of husbands' devotion to their wives. Others speak of the responsibility of fathers to their children and there is a section devoted to patriotism. (Most of that is solely devoted to American patriotism but I was very pleased to see a couple that were not nation-specific but about patriotism in general.) Though I have to admit as a military historian my favorites are classics such as 'The Charge of the Light Brigade.' Men today need more poetry in their lives and here is a collection which cannot be sadly brushed off as 'for wimps' or 'girly,' as far too many quality things are.

The quality of the book is also exceptional for the price, heavy glossy paper and sturdy binding. I will be giving a few copies of this as gifts in the future.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, August 23, 2006

By	PA Patriarch - See all my reviews

We have ordered this book three times, because we keep giving it away!It is well written and refreshing in a time that Biblical patriarchy has not been embraced, but should be!This has an excellent compilation of poems for men, young and old.We have ordered many Vision Forum books and have always been very pleased with the quality and content in them.